Margaret Shepler, 95

Margaret was born in Moran, Mich., on June 18, 1908, the daughter of William and Sophia Jamison. She came to Mackinaw City as a child and there met her husband to be, William "Capt." Shepler. They were married Oct. 28, 1930, in Mackinaw City.

The Sheplers made their home in Wyandotte until 1945. "Capt." was captain of the Algoma, which at that time ferried passengers to Mackinac Island. Mrs. Shepler moved to Mackinaw to be near her husband and opened a small hamburger, pop and ice cream stand on the dock. The Sheplers bought three small fast boats and started a charter service and later ran passengers to Mackinac Island. This was the beginning of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry Service.

Margaret was a very head strong woman, down to earth and didn't like change, yet was very involved with the changes over the years.

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She loved to paint and was very good at it. She also loved to cook and sew, making many clothes for her two children when they were growing up.

Margaret was a member of the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City.

She is survived by a son, William Shepler, of Harbor Springs; six grandchildren, including Skip and Robbie McFalls, both of Charlevoix, Chris Shepler, Patty Fuhrman and Bill Shepler of Harbor Springs; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ellen Eastman, of Lincoln Park. She was preceded in death by her husband, William "Capt." Shepler, on May 9, 1988, as well as a daughter, Penny McFall, and a granddaughter, Kathy.

Cremation has taken place in Florida. A memorial service will be held in May 2004 and will be announced at that time.